The least frequent modalities shown in this excerpt are the medium usuality and high inclination.
M.1.2a Mavis chose silence high inclination M.1.14 She would have to decide which was she … high
inclination M.1.15a They would probably expect her to go straight to the
kitchen as usual, … median usuality The occurrences of the high inclination and the median usuality, as seen in the
example above, are in combination with other types of modality except for example M.1.2a. The example M.1.2a relates with her understanding about her
husband which resulted in that decision. Again, it creates the effect that she is sure about her husband, so she took the high inclination to react. Regarding the
example M.1.14, decide in combination with would have to means that she is still in plan to make a decision. She has not come up with the decision although
the decision is important in that situation. Finally, the occurrence of the median usuality here is not really significant. It only shows about Mavis’s habit.
4.1.1.2 The Modality System in Excerpt 2
Various types of modality have appeared in this excerpt. They are probability, usuality, inclination, and obligation. The most frequent modality here
is probability with a range of value from high until low. After probability is ability. As for obligation, usuality, and inclination, they do not have a range of
value such as only high value of passive obligation, low value of usuality, and high value of inclination.
As stated previously, the occurrences of the probability in excerpt 2 have a range of value. The examples can be seen below.
M.2.1b knew she was ravenous because the sun, … high probability
M.2.7 She did not know now why she had run from the gold links
coming toward her. low probability M.2.12 Would the road girls just sit there? middle probability
The highest value of the probability, knew, comes with ravenous M.2.1b in the
projected idea which creates the effect to emphasize the terrible physical condition of the character while the median value occurs in question M.2.12 that is
employed to question about the presence of the other characters. The lowest value of the probability, negative with the highest value of probability knew, also creates
the effect of doubting because the speech function of the projected idea followed is question and the transferred negative that weakens the commitment of the
speaker toward the proposition M.2.7. However, in this case, the character questions her previous action, so that in addition to doubt, it shows the
incapability of the character. The other types of the modality in this excerpt are the usuality, inclination,
and obligation. M.2.4b … she never left anywhere without a dripping box of food.
low usuality M.2.6c Had to be taught how to dry herself in the weeds. high
obligation M.2.11 Suddenly she sat up, wide awake, and decided not to
starve. high inclination In M.2.4b, never has negative polarity with the highest value, but after it is
combined with the residue left anywhere without a dripping box of food which has negative judgment, the effect is to strengthen that Bennie is smart. It also uses the
objective orientation and appears as mood adjunct in the clause. On the other
hand, the passive high obligation with Mavis as the recipient M.2.6c carries the meaning that she was incapable. Last, the high value of inclination in M.2.11
indicates that Mavis realizes something very important, more important than her suffering or her condition at that time.
4.1.1.3 The Modality System in Excerpt 3
